Normalu Hamilton Brooks, born September 17, 1932, in Moultrie County, Illinois, to Frank and Wanda Mitchell, passed away on September 21, 2023 at the age of 91.  Normalu grew up on the family farm in Findlay, Illinois, graduated from Findlay High School and attended Burnham School of Nursing in Champaign, IL. She married Richard W (Dick) Hamilton in September of 1951 and worked as a nurse at Oliver Supply Company in Shelbyville, IL until becoming a mother.  Normalu loved being a mother and involved her 4 cherished children in gardening, farming, reading, sewing, and enjoying music. She was an active member of the Findlay United Methodist Church her entire life. In the 1960’s, Normalu became an advocate for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, fostering 13 infants and children, as well as providing parenting and household management support to families in need. Upon retiring, she and Dick enjoyed RVing with their beloved pet dogs, traveling to all 48 of the lower United States.  Normalu documented her life with 60 photo albums that will be treasured by her family.

Normalu was predeceased by her parents; husband; sister: Winona Mitchell Massey Benedetti; son: Richard Hamilton, Jr, his wife, Bene Svitavsky; granddaughters: Katie and Sara Hamilton; and her second husband: Bill Brooks.

She is survived by her son: Blake (Karen) Hamilton of Tampa, Florida; daughter: Jill (Jim) Hamilton Crain Lutz of Crossville; son: Stanton Hamilton of Los Angeles, California; 4 very beloved grandchildren: Megan (Peter Račko) Crain of Vienna Austria, Allison (James Stoia) Crain, of Bloomington, IL., Laine (Blaine) Hamilton McCurrin of Cambridge, England, and Mitchell Crain of Nashville; 2 very beloved great-grandchildren: Oskar and Gideon Račko; sisters-in-law: Doris Thompson and Mary (Mick) Matlock of Shelbyville, IL.; and many dear nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who will always remember her orange cookies.

Interment will be alongside her husband, Dick, at the Findlay Cemetery at a later date.

Normalu’s family is very thankful for the supportive, compassionate care from the staff of Wyndridge Health and Rehabilitation Center and Caris Hospice in Crossville.

Memories and condolences can be left at https://www.crossvillememorial.com

In memory of her life, donations may be sent to Findlay United Methodist Church,  PO Box 423, Findlay, IL  62534 or made online to Child Protection Network of Bloomington, IL.  mcleancpn.org/give